by Reinhard Hohler, Chiang Mai

In spite of the myriad negative news making headlines in Thailand since 2006 and sending travel industry jitters, Thai tourism performances are on a record high. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor’s Speech during Thailand Travel Mart Plus (TMM+) 2011 networking lunch on June 8, the last year 2010 turned out to be excellent and ended up with a total of 15.9 million visitors – a 12.6% increase over the previous year. “This positive trend has continued into 2011” was the surprised conclusion made by Mr. Suraphon Svetasreni, Governor of TAT. During June 8-10, at the Impact Arena in Bangkok’s Muang Thong Thani, TTM+ 2011 under the theme “Caring for the Earth” counted some 1000 participants, including 150 members of the media from 30 countries around the world. Some 368 seller organizations were present, which featured their tourism products within 401 booths at the exhibition hall, and could meet up with some 335 buyers from 54 countries. By balancing existing markets with equal emphasis on new markets, TTM+ included countries such as Russia, India, China, and Indonesia.

Buyers and media had the opportunity to join one of seven complimentary pre-tours and were picked up at one of the seven officials hotels, such as the downtown Centara Grand at Central World or the new Novotel Impact. Staying in the Rembrandt Hotel with the support of Swedish GM Mr. Eric Hallin, I opted for the tour called “Golden Buddha Image” that started at 13.00 o’clock on June 7. The visited Golden Buddha Image was enshrined in the newly built Phra Maha Mondop at Wat Traimit in Bangkok’s Chinatown. There the world’s largest pure-gold Buddha, dating back to the Sukhothai period, is housed on the top floor of a four-storied pavilion.

Originally, the Golden Buddha Image was completely covered with plaster and only discovered as golden in 1955. On the 3rd floor of the building is an exhibition area that features the history of the Golden Buddha Image, while on the 2nd floor there is the impressive and elaborate Yaowarat Chinatown Heritage Centre, which provides a wealth of information on Bangkok’s Chinatown from the past to the present. Finally, the tour ended at 16.00 o’clock with a stroll through Chinatown packed with market stalls, restaurants, medicine stores, gold shops, temples and spirit houses.

Now in its tenth year, TTM+ is the region’s leading trade show for Thailand and the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS), which includes Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Viet Nam. Sadly to notice, there were no official representatives from China, Cambodia and Viet Nam this year. But when TTM+ ceremonially opened with a top modern dinner reception on June 8, everybody was assured that TTM+ was nevertheless surpassing all expectations.

On June 9, there were media briefings of Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), Airports of Thailand (AOT), and last not least, TAT.

Under the “Believe in Thailand” campaign, TCEB has seen a rapid recovery of the MICE industry and the return of MICE visitors to the country. TCEB President Mr. Akapol Sorasuchart announced a new initiative to build on this success to further build Thailand’s image and presence in the high-end “Luxury MICE” market. For this campaign Bangkok, Hua Hin, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Koh Samui were selected as chic and charm destinations to offer captivating experiences and services of unrivalled standards. The message is out: Thailand is providing inspiration for your business success and will be the gateway to the ASEAN region with a population of over 500 million.

AOT announced the plans to develop its responded airports in Thailand to be world class airports together with green and clean policies. Senior Executive Vice President in Business Development and Marketing, Mr. Nitinai Sirismatthakarn, revealed that AOT has successfully operated six international airports, such as Suvarnabhumi Airport, Don Muang Airport, Chiang Mai Airport, Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai Airport, Hat Yai Airport and Phuket Airport, which all must function in an environmentally friendly manner.

The concept of green tourism has already taken firm root in Thailand and is gaining momentum. That is why TAT has long been an advocate of sustainable tourism. To drive this message home and demonstrate a genuine commitment, TAT has adopted the theme “Caring for the Earth” to spearheading a green revolution, which is based on a balanced strategy. It integrates concern for the environment as well as economics, society and technology into the marketing strategy to achieve sustainable tourism. Also, Amazing Thailand is a wonderful concise summary of what Thailand has to offer. Now it is “Amazing Thailand Always Amazes You.”

With all this in mind, I repeatedly went through the exhibition hall to single out the following “amazing” new tourism products (in alphabetical order):

-         Air Bagan: The airline operates average of 25 daily sectors, serving 19 major domestic destinations as well as Yangon – Chiang Mai – Yangon on a twice a week regular charter flight (see www.airbagan.com).

-         Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok: Located on the banks of the majestic Chao Phraya River, the hotel offers 396 rooms and suites as well as a ballroom with seven additional function rooms of various sizes. There is also the 5-star Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake in Yangon/Myanmar, which offers 303 guestrooms and an outdoor swimming pool (see www.CHATRIUM.com).

-         Moevenpick Resort & Spa Karon Beach Phuket: Its 159 suites and secluded villas feature sundecks and outdoor rainforest showers. The main building offers 175 upscale rooms, most with sea view, while Moevenpick Residences Karon Beach has 30 beachfront apartments in an integrated resort concept. Furthermore, Moevenpick operates city hotels in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam and plans to open Moevenpick Suriwong Hotel in Chiang Mai this year (see www.moevenpick-hotels.com).

-         Orient Express: The Singapore-based company takes tourists beyond the conventions of today’s luxury travel. Whether you plan to stay in Koh Samui in Thailand, Luang Prabang in Laos or Siem Reap in Cambodia, travel in Bali, wish to take the Eastern & Oriental Express or discover the Ayeyarwady River in Myanmar aboard the “Road To Mandalay” cruise ship, the company’s experiences offer an alternative way to discover Asia (see www.orient-express.com).

-         Mekong Cruises: The Laos-based company has operated river cruises on the Mekong River since many years and now opened The Luang Say Residence in Luang Prabang, which is the pinnacle of luxury, providing 20 pioneer suites in 5 colonial pavilions and 4 other explorer suites located in the main building (see www.mekong-cruises.com).

-         Pandaw River Cruises: The Company is the largest luxury river cruise one in Asia. With five luxury ships exploring four countries, such as Myanmar, Cambodia, Viet Nam and Borneo, there also is the Pandaw charity program, where Pandaw passengers are keen to give back to the communities they visit (see www.padaw.com).

-         Patong Paragon Resort & Spa: Located at the most popular beach on Phuket Island, the international deluxe resort offers 121 well-equipped rooms and suites as well as a large free-form swimming pool (see www.patongparagon.com).

-         Phi Phi Natural & P.P. Erawan Palms Resort: Executive Director Mr. Vithaya Lamyai explained it with great enthusiasm. It is a tropical paradise with white sandy beaches, crystal clear water and a colorful reef in front of the resort. Just come down to Krabi to feel it (see www.phiphinatural.com).

-         Rembrandt Hotel & Towers Bangkok: Offering 407 superb rooms and suites, it is centrally located at Sukhumvit Road Soi 18, not far from many shopping and entertainment places, also BTS Sky Train and MRT underground metro stations. Try the Indian cuisine Rang Mahal Restaurant at the 26th floor and relax with an Ayurvedic Oil Massage at The Spa of the 5-star hotel (see www.rembrandtbkk.com).

-         Serenata Hotels & Resorts Group: The group now owns 13 multiple brands of hotels and resorts in idyllic locations, such as The Legend Chiang Rai Boutique River Resort & Spa in Northern Thailand as well as the Paradise Koh Yao Boutique Beach Resort & Spa in Phang Nga, Southern Thailand (see www.SERENATAhotels.com).

-         The Chedi Chiang Mai: The property belongs to the GHM Hotels and is an 84-room hotel and spa located in the centre of Chiang Mai along the Ping River. Its colonial-style restaurant is offering the best Indian cuisine in town and is housed in the former British Consulate. Other famous GHM Hotels are the Nam Hai in Da Nang/Viet Nam and the Strand inYangon/Myanmar (see www.ghmhotels.com).

Lastly, there were a cluster of booths featuring “Chiang Mai Creative City” and some booths of the Japan National Tourism Organization. Furthermore, buyers and media could book one of the six post-tours starting on June 11 and featuring “The Spirit of Lan Na” – “The Charm of Isan Life” – “Jewel of Andaman” amongst others.

Next year, TTM+ 2012 will be held again in Bangkok, but the GMS event will be scheduled back to back in Chiang Rai, when the annual Mekong Tourism Forum (MTF) will taking place there, as Chiang Rai is celebrating its 750 Years Anniversary.